New NRS Inflatable Drift Boat

[jma233]

Don't know if anyone has posted this yet. They should've hired some guys who can actually cast for the video. Pros as I see it are no trailer and ability to launch in places where others can't. Cons....don't know what would happen if you pinned this thing against a rock....of coarse don't want to do that to a regular drift boat. Retail is $6K which seems reasonable.

[snapt]

I fished out of it this fall. Really cool boat, handles great, super portable obviously. Does get pushed around a bit in the wind but that's to be expected with how light it is. Goes together surprisingly easy. Cool idea that they executed pretty darn well.

[Dickeymotto]

That looks rad as hell.

[schwerty]

I haven't been able to figure out why you wouldn't just go the raft with a fishing frame. Looks like this might be more portable than some rafts but still....for big water I would rather be in a raft. Everything else...drift boat. Small streams...smaller rafts or one man crafts.

I am not gonna bet behind this idea but...I'd surely be interested in a day in one.

[snapt]

Because the majority of rafts (save for a Streamtech) handle pretty damn bad in comparison to a drift boat. This isn't meant for any bigger water that a regular db, just giving the option of portability while rowing much better than a raft.

[schwerty]

Makes sense, I guess but I'm still sticking to what I have!

[gretch6364]

If you were looking for a small two man raft for Colorado water, like the Colorado, Arkansas, Lower Blue, Gunni, and some trips to the Green and Lee's Ferry....what would you suggest?

Ideally, I would like something I could put in a baja roof rack on my FJ or back of a pickup if possible...would you suggest catamaran? I put this question here becuase of how portable this boat looks, but can't imagine it holding up to our skinny ass water here.

I am guessing catamaran would not be good for an overnight trip? What about an overnight solo trip?

Thanks...obviously everything is compromise...but so is living in Colorado.

[snapt]

Gretch, how much you willing to spend?

[SWskier]

If you were looking for a small two man raft for Colorado water, like the Colorado, Arkansas, Lower Blue, Gunni, and some trips to the Green and Lee's Ferry....what would you suggest?

Ideally, I would like something I could put in a baja roof rack on my FJ or back of a pickup if possible...would you suggest catamaran? I put this question here becuase of how portable this boat looks, but can't imagine it holding up to our skinny ass water here.

I am guessing catamaran would not be good for an overnight trip? What about an overnight solo trip?

Thanks...obviously everything is compromise...but so is living in Colorado.

Super Puma.

[gretch6364]

Gretch, how much you willing to spend?

Probably $3K to $5K MAX. Something lightly used for $3K would be great...maybe something that could possibly hold three people...but on the smaller side for that.

In looking at the Catarafts, are they all open bottom? Not sure that would be as versatile as a raft as far as the number of days on the water...Colorado water can be pretty damn cold.

[jma233]

Agree that a raft is probably a better option for CO than a db. I've never seen anyone actually break down a raft....each one that I've ever seen has been trailered. Maybe I'm not paying attention.

You could get by with a db in CO if you stuck to the CO, N. Platte, lower Roaring Fork, Green, San Juan. I've never floated the Gunnison or lower Blue. I personally wouldn't even take a raft down the Arkansas in most flows but I suck.

[gretch6364]

Yeah, a trailor is probably the best option, especially for towing...just curious thinking it would be cool to throw it on top using some ramps, a pully, and one of these:

http://www.bajarack.com/fj-ut-rack

The wind and effect on the truck would probably really really suck.

A raft I think is the way to go for the rivers...I could then take the frame out for some spring white water fun with a bigger group. A DB would be better for the lakes obviously.

I am sure it would be used 80% on the Colorado and Arkansas...I have only ever been on the Ark when it was ragging and we were doing browns canyon...I just assumed it would settle down for pre run off and summer/fall fishing. Does it get too skinny then?

Thanks

[jma233]

The only time I was actually on the Ark was when I was learning to row. I did a half day course with a fly shop in Salida which consisted of me rowing a guides raft while he instructed. It was just upstream of Salida and I think I hit every rock in the river. I distinctly remember the guide wincing a few times as I mangled his raft. If they no longer run the course, it's probably my fault :-)

Doing that stretch of the Ark made every other river I was on afterwards feel easy in comparison.

[snapt]

Super Puma.

For the price that's probably the best you can do. Nice boats but they don't row the best. A good friend went from one of those to a Streamtech (moravia) and the rocker makes all the difference. The thing rows as nice as a DB but costs $$$. And you'll want a trailer no matter what you get.

[Hugh Conway]

I fished out of it this fall. Really cool boat, handles great, super portable obviously. Does get pushed around a bit in the wind but that's to be expected with how light it is. Goes together surprisingly easy. Cool idea that they executed pretty darn well.

How small does it pack down?

[snapt]

Hugh, don't know the exact dimensions but the package I saw for it was small enough to fit in the back of an suv or wagon easily, and maybe even a larger boot. Can be shipped UPS instead of freight. I've heard since there's some positive reception they might make a slightly smaller low profile version in the future.

[gretch6364]

It looks like a cool option for Alaska plane drops, assuming t could handle the abuse...at $5,500; it seems a little pricy if you were not specifically looking for something more portable then a raft...but that seems to be the niche they are going after....so pretty cool.

Looking online, there seemed to be a very large number of rafts with NRS fishing frames and trailers for under $5k...many even cheaper. A used frame and then a little better raft....or, I just won't be using it enough to justify the added cost and only floating a dozen times a year.

[schwerty]

Gretch- call Ron at Riverboat Works in Salida. www.riverboatworks.com Great guy. Fabs frames, (if you can dream it up, he can create it), and is a dealer of a number of different types of rubber. Shop is right on the Ark just outside of town. He usually has some well maintained used rigs too. He is as knowledgable as it gets regarding the ark too.
Great float fishin down there. BWO's in the early spring are not to miss. The Mothers Day caddis can be something to see but that hatch brings the whole state to that river.

[gretch6364]

Nice...Thanks as always Schwerty...buying local is the way I prefer to go for sure. His cataraft fishing frames with a full hard floor looks awesome.

[Hugh Conway]

For plane drops the weight - 330lbs quoted - would be a drawback compared to rafts. There's definitely people out there who don't have the storage space for a full size driftboat, but the money and desire for one, that's the appeal (at least to me)

[Chugachjed]

I've flown with a Jon boat lashed between the floats. I don't see an inflatable being much trouble unless your air service is a cub. Count me among those with no space for more toys. That's not stopping me from building a boat this winter.

[Hugh Conway]

I've flown with a Jon boat lashed between the floats. I don't see an inflatable being much trouble unless your air service is a cub.

how much more did it cost?

meh, boat building is something else entirely. just a surrogate for men who can't birth children.

[Chugachjed]

I've never payed for a bush flight. I'm always guiding so usually I'm getting paid. I'm full up on children but those kids need a boat so I'm building one. Not sure yet if I'm building a pirogue with high gunwales or a rowing dory but either should serve pretty well for flat water/drifting.

[Hugh Conway]

Not sure yet if I'm building a pirogue with high gunwales or a rowing dory but either should serve pretty well for flat water/drifting.

sounds fun. post some pics in the building thread

[gretch6364]

Has anyone used any of the Jack's Plastic Cutthroat models? They do a super cutthroat version with 19 in tubes for the same price. Obviously not as nice a bigger raft, but at only $2k new might not be bad on skinny water for an overnighter??